Watford’s five-year stay in the Premier League ended when they were relegated following a defeat on the last day at Arsenal.
The Hornets knew that their fate had escaped their hands and had gotten into the game at the Emirates stadium and, despite the rally after leaving three goals behind, eventually fell to a 3-2 loss.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a halftime on both sides of Kieran Tierney’s first Arsenal goal – but Mikel Arteta’s team will have to be better than this demonstration if they beat Chelsea in next week’s FA Cup final .
Troy Deeney’s penalty reduced the arrears before the break and former arsenal Danny Welbeck pulled back another – but, with Aston Villa equalizing West Ham and Bournemouth defeating Everton – Watford finished 19th.
The afternoon could not have started worse for Watford, who suffered a penalty in the opening minute.
Craig Dawson knocked out Alexandre Lacazette and, after a long overhaul of the VAR which also contained an offside check, Aubameyang scored the resulting free kick.
To be honest with Watford, they responded well and came close to a draw just before the 15 minute mark.
Ismaila Sarr cut the inside from the right and fed Abdoulaye Doucoure, his shot blocked by Rob Holding on the path of Roberto Pereyra, who then pulled out an intelligent shot by Emiliano Martinez.
Deeney headed straight for Holding as visitors enjoyed a level of success by pushing forward.
But it was on the other side where their top speed was unfolding, Tierney’s shot deflected from Will Hughes to Ben Foster on the wrong foot and doubled Arsenal’s lead before the drink break.
The third goal seemed to have ended this game firmly as a race and staying on the front line of Watford, a throw-in in the visitors’ box allowed it to bounce unchallenged before Aubameyang checked and turned home a nice head kick.
But captain and talisman Deeney at least gave Watford hope of a return of shock, hitting a mark penalty at home after David Luiz stumbled upon Welbeck.
There was certainly still some hope left when Adam Masina fired just above, with Welbeck pulling out a nice close-up shot from Martinez.
Shortly thereafter, he would not have had an opportunity, however, when Welbeck was on hand to take Sarr’s low crossbar home and bring Watford into a goal of Arsenal’s seemingly unassailable advantage.
The same duo joined a few minutes later, but this time Martinez brilliantly denied Welbeck a second by a smart shot.
With Watford taking more risks, they were exposing themselves to the rear and needed Foster to be at his best to prevent Aubameyang from completing his hat-trick from Eddie Nketiah’s passing.
Watford maintained his threat but could not force a tie, which would not have been enough given Villa’s tie across London in West Ham, as Arsenal eventually finished eighth.
